I have a Dell Dimension 9100 running Windows XP that fails to boot. Initially, the power button light blinked amber which, according to Dell could be caused by a failed power supply or a faulty motherboard. At this point, the CPU fan did not start and there were no beeps from the computer. To all intents and purposes the computer appeared to be dead.
I tested the power supply and the voltages appear to be okay (I have a tester). I then replaced the motherboard and now the CPU fan works and the hard drive spins up. However, I get no beeps and the diagnostics lights show 1 - green, 2 - nothing, 3 - nothing, 4 - green. The Dell diagnostic manual for the 9100 does not list this combination of lights.
I have removed the BIOS battery and left the computer unplugged for 20 minutes to reset the BIOS (the battery voltage is just over 3V) and tried to boot the computer again but the same thing happens: no beeps, no boot.
I have tried re-seating the RAM but that made no difference either.
Can anyone help to sort out this problem?
I tested the power supply and the voltages appear to be okay (I have a tester). I then replaced the motherboard and now the CPU fan works and the hard drive spins up. However, I get no beeps and the diagnostics lights show 1 - green, 2 - nothing, 3 - nothing, 4 - green. The Dell diagnostic manual for the 9100 does not list this combination of lights.
I have removed the BIOS battery and left the computer unplugged for 20 minutes to reset the BIOS (the battery voltage is just over 3V) and tried to boot the computer again but the same thing happens: no beeps, no boot.
I have tried re-seating the RAM but that made no difference either.
Can anyone help to sort out this problem?